Angry California anglers disrupt sportfishing ban meeting

· April 9, 2020 ·

A teleconference with California regulators to discuss a potential limited ban on freshwater sportfishing amid the COVID-19 pandemic was abruptly canceled Thursday after it descended into chaos, with some of those who called in branding officials as fascists and shouting “make fishing great again.”The Fish and Game Commission meeting was aimed at deciding whether to give emergency powers to Charlton Bonham, the governor’s appointee overseeing the Department of Fish and Wildlife, the Sacramento Bee reported.If the powers are granted, Bonham could limit fishing in some California rivers, streams and lakes at the request of local officials concerned that visiting recreational fishing enthusiasts might spread the virus.But the meeting was overwhelmed by more than 500 participants on the call, many of whom mistakenly believed commissioners might cancel the entire fishing season statewide. Earlier this week, a group of conservative politicians, sheriffs and media outlets told social media followers that the administration of Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, was planning to do that, the newspaper said. Advertisement The intent of the state’s proposed order was much more limited, however.State officials and participants urged everyone on the line to mute themselves amid background noise and beeping as dozens called in. One of those… Read full this story